With the 2021 NFL Draft just over a month away, let’s take a look at what the first round could look like. The K.C. Chiefs are entering a time in their franchise when drafting well is more important than ever. Patrick Mahomes is entering the final year of his rookie deal, and he will become an expensive asset for Kansas City in the near future. If the Chiefs want to continue to compete in further Super Bowls, it is important that Mahomes will have a cheap but effective supporting cast around him.
The Chiefs still have immense talent heading into 2021, but in a few years the team will look completely different. This draft is the start of building that foundation that will give Kansas City the opportunity of supporting Mahomes. This mock draft will also highlight how other selections from teams, especially in the AFC West, will affect Kansas City moving forward.
1. Jacksonville Jaguars: QB Trevor Lawrence, Clemson
This pick is a no-brainer for the Jaguars. Jacksonville grabs a generational talent who will elevate the pieces around him. The Jaguars have promising talent in D.J. Chark, Laviska Shenault, and James Robinson. The missing piece is a quarterback who can sustain drives and make those around him better. There does not need to be a lot of explanation for this selection. Jacksonville knew who they were going to draft as soon as they were officially awarded the first overall pick.
2. New York Jets: QB Zach Wilson, BYU
This is when the draft will truly start and there will be many routes the Jets can take with this selection. The Jets should trade this pick and see what they have in Sam Darnold, but the hype around Wilson has reached immense levels. This hype may cause teams to throw more at the Jets to move up and select the BYU product. However, New York will reset the clock and draft Wilson, who has been compared to quarterbacks like Mahomes and Aaron Rodgers in terms of his arm talent. Drafting Wilson will allow the Jets to have a clean slate and have a highly-talented quarterback on a cheap rookie deal for the next five years. Look for the Jets to add talent on the outside via free agency and/or draft to give Wilson the best chance of success.
3. Miami Dolphins: WR Ja’Marr Chase, LSU
Tua Tagovailoa would be the main beneficiary of the Dolphins selecting Ja’Marr Chase. Tagovailoa had an underwhelming rookie season and the Dolphins want to make sure that he is the right man for the job. Chase is arguably the best receiver in this year’s draft, despite not playing this last season because he opted out due to COVID-19. In 2019, Chase led college football with 1,780 yards and 20 touchdowns. He can do everything on the field, and his electrifying speed and strength will transfer to the next level. The LSU product should allow Tagovailoa to take a step forward in his second year in the NFL.